Notebook: Flounder Limits Cut Back

Notebook

December 26, 1993|By CHRIS STEUART Daily Press

If there's one lesson to be learned in life it is that what is borrowed must be returned.

The history of the Chesapeake Bay illustrates that lesson well, especially in the wake of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approving a plan on Tuesday that will allow a commercial catch of nearly one-third more flounder in 1994 than 1993.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Thursday, December 30, 1993.A headline in Sunday's Sports section incorrectly stated that flounder limits had been cut back. Commercial catches of flounder in 1994 will be increased by about a third.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission guidelines to reduce commercial and recreational flounder catches were supposed to be implemented last year. Virginia's commercial fishermen were given a quota of 2.882 million pounds. Recreational guidelines called for a six-fish daily limit and a May-September season.

A lobbying effort blocked the recreational proposals and anglers were allowed to keep 10 flounder at least 14 inches long per day.

The ASMFC's proposed recreational season reduced bag limit will almost certainly be adopted by the VMRC in early 1994.

``We won't have the figures until February, but we are afraid we went over the recreational quota in 1993, so that overage must come off in the 1994 quota,'' said Jack Travelstead the chief of the division of fisheries management at the VMRC. ``The amount of that overage may negate any potential increase we may have seen this year.

The stock assessment of the commercial fishery showed an increase in flounder numbers so the quota was raised from 2.882 million pounds to 3.411 million for 1994.

So, you see, you have to give back what you have taken.

``The bottom line is that recreational anglers are going to be very upset, '' Travelstead said. ``If we had adopted the six-fish limit and the season last year then we would be looking at a possible increase this year. Instead, we are paying for it now.''

Increasing the commercial flounder quota will likely be looked upon by much of the fishing community as a potentially disastrous move against the rebounding flounder population. Or it may stir recreational fishermen to push for a larger share of the catch when recreational fishing limits next come before the commission.

Whatever is done needs to be done for the fish - not the fishermen.

ANGLER OF THE YEAR. Craig R. Paige eked out his 12th citation fish of the year, about six hours before the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament ended last Sunday, to capture the tournament's Angler of the Year Award.

He went into the tournament's final Sunday tied with Dr. Jim Wright at 11 catches apiece.

Jimmy Kolb was named the Release Angler of the Year after registering release citations for amberjack, black drum, cobia, red drum, shark, striped bass and white marlin. A tie between Kolb and fishing buddy Kenny Taylor was broken by a tournament committee. Kolb won because the length of his fish were greater than Taylor's

Jack Redinger of Pocomoke, Md., was awarded the tournament's Non-Resident Release Angler of the Year honors. His diverse catch included a 15-pound, 8-ounce tautog, a 89-pound, 8-ounce tuna and released a cobia.

BISMUTH SHOT ILLEGAL. Waterfowl hunters should know that Bismuth, the new internationally marketed shot advertised as nontoxic, has not been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Bismuth shot, made by the Bismuth Cartridge Co. in Dallas, is advertised as a nontoxic alternative for waterfowl hunting.

But any use of Bismuth shot for waterfowl hunting in Virginia is prohibited. Only steel shot is legal.

The new shot is available internationally, and may be found in Virginia, but hasn't been tested by the service, nor has an application for approval been received from the manufacturer.

SPORTING CLAYS. Adams Sporting Goods of Providence Forge bested 14 other teams to win first-place honors in the fall sporting clays league at the Old Forge Outdoors sporting clays course.

Tied for second was the Richmond team of Life of Virginia-Commonwealth Agency and the Williamsburg team of Axel Nixon, Inc.

Adams was led by Clive Watson of Richmond, who broke 361 of 400 possible targets. Also shooting for Adams was Steve Barton and Stuart Mathews.

Most improved shooter honors went to Tammy Copeland of Charles City. She shot for the Copeland Trucking 2 team out of Charles City.

Old Forge's next league will begin at the end of January. The sporting clays course runs handicapped, mixed doubles and youth leagues. For more information, call 966-2955.